Kobe Bryant scores 40 to lead Lakers to volatile 111-98 victory over Rockets, tying series 1-1LOS ANGELES — Two ejections. A handful of technical fouls. One bloody cut on Derek Fisher’s shaved head. Oh yeah, the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets actually played some basketball, too. Yao Ming hurts knee in fourth quarter, limps off court, returnsLOS ANGELES — Houston Rockets center Yao Ming hurt his right knee Monday night when he collided with Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s Western Conference semifinal opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. Battier cut over left eye in first quarter of Rockets-Lakers Game 1LOS ANGELES — Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier was cut over his left eye and had blood streaming down his face in the closing seconds of the first quarter of Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers. |